Blurred Love (Whiskey Men: Wounded Heroes #5)

1. Poppy

CHAPTER 1

POPPY

H e’s watching me… again.

It would be one thing if he was doing it with interest or even just an acknowledgement, but it’s not like that. It’s like he has a permanent scowl on his face, and it’s directed at me the whole time.

After the morning I’ve had, I’m over it, and I’m barely able to contain myself.

I am representing Glaze Bakery. I can’t tell off customers. I chant the little reminder to myself, but the little devil on my shoulder reminds me that this guy is not a customer. He’s always here when we set up the food truck, but he’s never bought anything.

He always just sits there, peeking at me over his computer, scowling.

“You okay?” Teresa nudges me in the ribs.

I grunt in response. How else should I respond? I had to deal with my ex at the Co-op location this morning, and now I have to deal with the scowling asshole at the Heroes Rehab Center. I can’t seem to catch a break.

Teresa puts a hand on my shoulder. “Look, forget about Adam. He’s an asshole, and everyone knows it.”

I put a hand on my hip. “I’m not mad at Adam. I’m mad at myself. I broke up with him because he treated me like shit, and I hate that even now, I’m letting him keep doing it. I should have said something. I should have….”

Teresa holds her hand up. “Look, don’t beat yourself up about it. That’s the last thing you should be doing.”

I suck in a deep breath. “I know, but the food truck is new for Glaze, and I don’t want to cause any drama around it. Emery is counting on me and?—”

Teresa stomps her foot. “Emery would not want you to let any man disrespect you.”

I suck in a breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right. I know you’re right.” I nod my head toward the back of the picnic tables. “See that guy?”

She looks around the tables, and the sassy Teresa that I’ve come to love is back in full force. “There’s like fifteen men sitting out there, and yeah, I’ve looked at them all. This is my favorite location by far.”

She’s wiggling her eyebrows, and even in the bad mood I’m in, I can’t stop the laugh from coming out. “You’re crazy.”

She nods her head in agreement. “Yeah, I am. Now tell me which guy. You hookin’ up? Because you know that’s what you need to do, right? You need to get laid.”

As soon as she says the words, there’s a giggle at the window. I push Teresa to the side. “I’m so sorry that you had to hear that. What can I get you?”

The curvy brown-haired woman looks up at me with amused brown eyes. “I’ll take a chocolate croissant and an iced coffee, please.”

Almost awkwardly, I start the coffee while Teresa disappears. Of course, she’s going to go hide right now. When I have the order ready, I hand it through the window. “That will be seven-fifty.”

She taps her card to pay and doesn’t immediately walk away. “I’m Brooklyn,” she says, introducing herself.

My face flames. Everyone in Whiskey Run knows Walker. He owns half the damn town, including the Heroes Rehab Center. Brooklyn is his wife. I knew who she was as soon as I saw her, and if there’s anyone that I’d want to make a good impression on, it’s her. “I know. I’m Poppy. It’s nice to meet you.”

She opens her mouth, and I can’t stop myself from rambling. “Anyway, I want to apologize. I promise that we’ll keep things professional here, and I don’t want you or your husband to worry. All professional from here on out.”

She sets her coffee down and pinches off a bite of the croissant. After chewing and swallowing, she nods. “I’m not worried. Everyone loves when Glaze stops by.” She waves her hand behind her at the group of men and women behind her. “And Walker is happy you’re here because then I don’t have to go into town to get my daily dose of caffeine. I told Emery if you can add more stops here to your calendar we would love it, and I’ll make sure the center is aware.”

I let out a breath of relief. “Okay, thank you. I’ll double-check with her and let you know.”

She grabs up her coffee, and I’m sure she’s about to walk away, but she surprises me. “And your friend is right, you know. You should never let a man make you feel less than.”

I grimace. “You heard that?”

She nods. “Yeah and the part where she said you needed to get laid.”

By this point, I’m wishing a big hole would open up and swallow me. “Uhhhh,” I stutter, not sure what I can say to make this sound good. I just gave a speech to this woman about how we’re professional, and now I’m talking to her about getting laid.

“Yeah, I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

She waves me off. “Don’t apologize. Your friend reminds me of my sister, Cassie. And just so you know, my sister is usually right.” She smiles and gives me a wave. “Let me know if your schedule opens up any.”

I wave with a big dumb smile on my face because I’m not sure what to say. I’m pretty sure Brooklyn just told me I needed to go get laid.

“So who is it?”

As soon as Brooklyn walks away, Teresa is back in the truck by my side. “Really, you just left? Drop a bombshell about me”—I lower my voice to a whisper—“‘getting laid,’ and then walk off so I can deal with the aftermath.”

Teresa snorts. “It’s fine. She was laughing when she walked away, it’s all good. Now which guy? Is he still here?”

She gestures wildly with her head toward the picnic tables. I’m surprised to see some people have left, but the one man still remains, staring at me.

“Forget it,” I tell her.

She shakes her head. “Oh no, you can’t do that. You can’t bring it up that you’re interested in a guy and then drop it.”

I pick up a dish towel and throw it to her. “Start cleaning up. I’m going to let people know we’re closing up in thirty minutes if they want anything before we go.”

Teresa rolls her eyes at me, but I just laugh and walk out of the truck. I stop at the first table. “Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know we’re closing up in thirty minutes in case you want to get anything to go.”

They nod their thanks, and I move to the next table of women and repeat my speech.

One woman bolts up. “Ooooh, thank you. I wanted to get some cupcakes to take home for my family.”

I tell her the selection we have left, and as she walks up to the truck, I go to the next table. I’m getting closer to the man in the back, and I can feel my blood pressure rising. He’s openly glaring at me, and in my head, I’m imagining everything he’s thinking.

“A fat girl working at a dessert truck.”

“Do you make any money or eat all the profits?”

“You really shouldn’t be surrounded by all that food because you don’t have the willpower not to eat it.”

Everything Adam said to me when he found out I was going to start working at the Glaze Bakery Food Truck crosses my mind. I was so excited to get the job, and he ruined it for me. I almost turned down the job offer until I came to my senses. I grew up making pastries with my grandma, and it’s something I love to do. Plus, instead of being cooped up inside all day, I get to travel around and meet new people. And let’s face it, almost all our customers are happy to see us. So I got rid of the boyfriend instead of the job.

But seeing the strange man glowering at me reminds me of everything that my ex said. I clench my hands into fists and mentally prepare myself for when I get to his table because I’m over men treating me like shit and getting away with it. Like Brooklyn said, I’m done letting men treat me as if I’m less than.